IB Language B
Prerequisites
Language to Year 10 level.
Course Description and Aims
The aims of the Language B Second Language:
- develop students’ international-mindedness
- enable students to communicate in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes
- encourage, through the study of texts and through social interaction, an awareness and appreciation of a variety of perspectives of people from diverse cultures
- develop students’ understanding of the relationship between the languages and cultures with which they are familiar
- develop students’ awareness of the role of language in relation to other areas of knowledge
- provide students, through language learning and the process of inquiry, with opportunities for intellectual engagement and the development of critical- and creative-thinking skills
- provide students with a basis for further study, work and leisure through the use of an additional language
- foster curiosity, creativity and a lifelong enjoyment of language learning
Curriculum Model Overview
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Identities
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Explore the nature of the self and what it is to be human
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- Lifestyles
- Health and wellbeing
- Beliefs and values
- Subcultures
- Language and identity
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Experiences
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Explore and tell the stories of the events, experiences and journeys that shape our lives
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- Leisure activities
- Holidays and travel
- Life stories
- Rites of passage
- Customs and traditions
- Migration
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Human ingenuity
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Explore the ways in which human creativity and innovation affect our world
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- Entertainment
- Artistic expressions
- Communication and media
- Technology
- Scientific innovation
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Social organisation
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Explore the ways in which groups of people organize themselves, or are organized, through common systems or interests
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- Social relationships
- Community
- Social engagement
- Education
- The working world
- Law and order
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Sharing the planet
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Explore the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals and communities in the modern world
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- The environment
- Human rights
- Peace and conflict
- Equality
- Globalization
- Ethics
- Urban and rural environment
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TEXT TYPES
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Personal texts
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Professional texts
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Mass media texts
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Blog
Diary
Email
Personal letter
Social media posting/chat room
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Blog
Email
Essay
Formal letter
Proposal
Questionnaire
Report
Set of instructions
Survey
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Advertisement
Article (newspaper, magazine)
Blog
Brochure
Film
Interview
Leaflet
Literature*
News report
Opinion column/editorial
Pamphlet
Podcast
Poster
Public commentary (editorial/
readers’ letters)
Radio programme
Review
Speech
Travel guide
Web page
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Literature HIGHER LEVEL Only
The study of two literary works originally written in the target language is a requirement at HL in Language B. HL students are expected to understand fundamental elements of the literary works studied, such as themes, plot and characters. It must be emphasized that literary criticism is not an objective of the Language B course; in Language B HL, literature is intended as a stimulus for ideas to be explored, principally through oral assessment. The term “literary works” refers to works of prose fiction, prose non-fiction, poetry and drama.
Assessment at a Glance — Standard Level
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Type of Assessment
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Format of Assessment
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Time
(hours)
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Weighting
Final Grade (%)
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External
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3
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75
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Paper 1
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Productive skills – one writing task of 250-400 words
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1 h 15 min
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25
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Paper 2
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Receptive Skills – separate sections for listening comprehension (45 min) and reading comprehension (1 h)
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1 h 45 min
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50
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Internal
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25
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Oral Work
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Individual oral assessment; conversation with teacher based on a visual stimulus
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12-15 min
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25
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Assessment at a Glance — Higher Level
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Type of Assessment
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Format of Assessment
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Time
(hours)
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Weighting
Final Grade (%)
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External
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3 h 30 min
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75
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Paper 1
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Productive skills – one writing task of 450-600 words
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1 h 30 min
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25
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Paper 2
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Receptive Skills – separate sections for listening comprehension (1 h) and reading comprehension (1 h)
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2 h
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50
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Internal
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25
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Oral Work
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Individual oral assessment – conversation with teacher based on the literary work chosen.
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12-15 min
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25
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